INSIDE THE BEARS.

Milburn's Return Threat May Help Offset Deion

October 16, 1998|By John Mullin, Tribune Staff Writer.

Jim Schwantz went to the Pro Bowl after the 1996 season for his special-teams play with the Dallas Cowboys. This week he will face Cowboys special teams that are the only ones in the NFL ranked in the top 10 of all four kicking-game categories despite a lack of size.

"They are so much built on speed, and that can be good and it can be bad," Schwantz said. "When I was there for a while, we were getting `gashed.' When you get those little guys blocked and moved, you have no chance. They can't hold off the bigger guys."

But the speed factor is significant and in punt returns comes primarily in the person of Deion Sanders. His 15.2-yard average per return is fourth in the NFC, right behind the 15.6 of the Bears' Glyn Milburn. Both have scored on returns, and both have similar effects on their own teams.

"It's different when you know you can go for a touchdown every time instead of thinking about just possession and getting 10 yards," Schwantz said. "That's kind of the mentality we've got here with Glyn. We're frustrated with our kickoff return right now because we're one or two guys away (from breaking touchdown returns) every time. Punt return definitely has been an area where there's been some excitement."

Helping hands: Tight end Alonzo Mayes has had his problems with fumbles early in his rookie season. But his blocking has improved, with help from a surprising source.

At 230 pounds, Ryan Wetnight has had to learn to survive as a blocker. The 250-pound Mayes has studied Wetnight's methods.

"Ryan sees and understands little tendencies and miscues that go on in a game," Mayes said. "He's been helping me understanding the subtle moves. He has a different center of gravity than I do. If I can learn to play like a small man, but in a bigger man's body, it's a benefit to me."

Dots all: Dallas' Emmitt Smith needs three TDs to pass Walter Payton (125) for fourth on the career list. . . . In the Cowboys' 27-20 win over Carolina last Sunday, they had a running back and two receivers--Smith, Michael Irvin and Ernie Mills--top the 100-yard mark in same game for just third time in team history.